Michael Brooks
Anglicanism and Catholicism are two Christian traditions with many similarities, but also key differences. Both share the ancient Nicene Creed, a declaration of faith that has united Christians for nearly 1,700 years. However, they differ in their beliefs and practices, with Anglicans often describing their faith as a three-legged stool balanced by Scripture, Tradition, and Reason. While Anglicans and Catholics share a similar Eucharist terminology, they differ in their beliefs about it, with Catholics believing in transubstantiation, a change in the substance of the bread and wine, while Anglicans believe in a spiritual change without adoration of the host. Another key difference is the recognition of leadership, with Catholics affirming the Pope's authority as the successor of St. Peter, while Anglicans, though respecting his influence, do not recognise his authority and instead emphasise conciliar leadership. Anglican churches also differ in their teachings on divorce, contraception, and morality, and are generally more open to the ordination of women as priests.
| Characteristics | Anglicans | Catholics |
|---|---|---|
| Leadership | Archbishop of Canterbury is considered the "first among equals" | Pope is the ultimate spiritual leader and successor to the Apostle Peter |
| Ordination of Women | Open to ordaining women as priests | Only men can receive the sacrament of Holy Orders |
| Eucharist | Believe in a spiritual change during the Eucharist, not the presence of Jesus | Believe in the concept of "transubstantiation", a change of the whole substance during the Eucharist |
| Decentralization | Decentralized structure with a wide range of pastoral responses and diversity of practices | Centralized structure with clear, universal teachings on matters like divorce and contraception |
| Veneration of Mary | Generally comfortable with the Catholic practice of venerating Mary | N/A |
| Priest Confession | Private confession is optional, public confession is part of the liturgy | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
Leadership recognition
The Anglican Church and the Catholic Church share many similarities, but also differ in key ways. Both traditions stand on the foundation of the ancient Nicene Creed, a powerful declaration of faith that has united Christians for nearly 1,700 years. They cherish the Holy Bible and the wisdom of the early Church, balancing these gifts in slightly different ways.
The most notable difference between the Anglican and Catholic Churches is the recognition of leadership. The Anglican Church has a decentralised structure, with no central authority figure. Each church within the Anglican Communion has its own archbishop or presiding bishop, such as the Archbishop of Canterbury in England, who is considered the "first among equals". The English monarch also retains a symbolic role.
On the other hand, Catholics firmly uphold the authority of the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, who is believed to be the successor of St. Peter. The Pope is seen as the ultimate spiritual leader on Earth, with Catholics regarding his pronouncements as infallible. While Anglicans may admire and listen to the Pope, they do not consider him the final authority, instead believing in conciliar leadership, similar to the Eastern Church.
The Anglican Church's structure allows for a wider range of pastoral responses and diversity of practice on issues such as divorce, contraception, and other issues of morality. This creates a broad spectrum of worship styles, from the more Catholic-like "High Church" to the more Protestant-style "Low Church".
In summary, the Anglican Church recognises the leadership of its own archbishops and bishops, while the Catholic Church firmly upholds the authority of the Pope as the ultimate spiritual leader on Earth. These differences in leadership recognition contribute to the distinct characteristics and beliefs of each denomination.
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Eucharist beliefs
Anglicanism and Catholicism share many similarities, but there are also key differences between the two traditions. While both Anglicans and Catholics use similar terminology regarding the Eucharist, they do not share the same beliefs.
Anglican eucharistic theology is diverse in thought and practice. Its sources include prayer book rubrics, writings on sacramental theology by Anglican divines, and the regulations and orientations of ecclesiastical provinces. The principal source material is the Book of Common Prayer (BCP), specifically its eucharistic prayers and Article XXVIII of the Thirty-Nine Articles.
Article XXVIII of the Thirty-Nine Articles, also known as the foundational Anglican doctrinal statement about the Eucharist, states that "Transubstantiation ... cannot be proved by Holy Writ; but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a Sacrament, and hath given occasion to many superstitions." Transubstantiation is a Catholic dogma that asserts that "by the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance".
Anglicans universally affirm the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. However, there are differing beliefs among Anglicans regarding the nature of this presence. Some believe in a pneumatic presence, while others, such as Anglo-Catholics, believe in a corporeal presence. Low-church Anglicans reject the belief in a corporeal presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Instead, they believe that Christ's presence is spiritually changed and hinges on the reception of communion.
Some Anglicans hold a theory similar to Martin Luther's doctrine of sacramental union, or consubstantiation, in which Christ's real presence in the bread and wine is limited to the time of the celebration. On the other hand, some High Church Anglicans hold doctrines close to the Catholic teaching of transubstantiation. These Anglicans may reserve communion bread and have Catholic-like devotions, such as benediction.
Anglican priests must repudiate the Catholic doctrine at their ordination. However, Anglo-Catholics are Anglican Christians who perform rituals in a Catholic manner. Attending an Anglo-Catholic Eucharist may feel and appear similar to a Catholic Eucharist.
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Priesthood beliefs
The Catholic Church and Anglicanism have different beliefs about the priesthood. The Catholic Church ordains only men, while the Anglican Church ordains both men and women. Pope St. John Paul II declared in 1994 that the Church has "no authority whatsoever" to ordain women to the priesthood. This declaration clarified the Church's position on the matter and reinforced the belief that only men can receive the sacrament of Holy Orders.
Anglican priests are not recognized as true priests by the Catholic Church. Pope Leo XIII, in the document "Apostolicae Curae," declared that Anglican ordinations are "absolutely null and utterly void." This stance is based on two main arguments: the intentional omission of language referring to the sacrificial priesthood in the ordination rite and a defect of intention to continue the sacrament of order as practiced by the Catholic Church.
Anglicanism, on the other hand, views its priests as validly ordained and capable of absolving sins and confecting the Eucharist. They consider their priests to be part of a valid apostolic succession. The Anglican archbishops of Canterbury and York issued a formal response, "Saepius Officio," which refuted Pope Leo's arguments, claiming that his understanding of sacraments was anachronistic.
Anglicanism has its roots in the Catholic Church but has evolved independently, reshaped by the English Reformation and other historical movements. It is considered a "Reformed Catholicism," where the basic structure of Catholicism is modified by Protestant influences. Anglicanism does not recognize the authority of the Pope, instead emphasizing the importance of each church within the Anglican Communion and its respective archbishop or presiding bishop.
In summary, the Catholic Church and Anglicanism differ in their beliefs about the priesthood, specifically in the ordination of women and the validity of Anglican ordinations. These differences contribute to the distinct identities and practices of the two traditions.
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Decentralized Anglican structure
The Anglican Church, also known as the Church of England, is a reformed Catholicism. It has its roots in the Catholic Church but does not recognise the authority of the Pope. Instead, the Archbishop of Canterbury is considered the "first among equals" and holds no official power outside of his province.
Anglicanism is a decentralised structure, with individual churches enjoying great independence in adopting their own doctrine. This has resulted in a wide variety of beliefs, practices, and rituals within the Anglican Communion. The term "via media", or "the middle way", is used to describe the character of Anglicanism as a middle way between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. Some Anglican congregations put more emphasis on Protestant doctrines, while others lean more towards Catholic teachings.
Anglican worship tends to be Protestant in doctrine and Catholic in appearance, with rituals, readings, bishops, priests, vestments, and ornately decorated churches. However, there is no requirement for celibacy among the clergy, and marriage is left to individual discretion.
The Anglican Church recognises only two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. This is a departure from Catholic doctrine, which includes Confirmation, Penance, Holy Orders, Matrimony, and Extreme Unction (anointing of the sick).
The Anglican Church also rejects the Roman Catholic doctrine of purgatory, affirming that salvation is based solely on Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross. Anglicans believe that confessing sins to God is sufficient, and private confession to a priest is optional.
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Anglicanism's Catholic and Protestant identity
The Anglican tradition has its roots in the Catholic Church, but there are several key differences in beliefs and practices. Anglicanism is often described as "Reformed Catholicism", with Catholicism being the noun and "Reformed" being the adjective that modifies it.
Anglicanism is a "middle way" or "via media" between Catholicism and Protestantism. Anglicanism has elements of both Catholic and Protestant identity. The Anglican lineage traces back to a mission sent before Rome fell into heresy and apostasy. The English Reformation, which began under Henry VIII, saw the Church regain its independence from Rome, and it was decisively reshaped by the formularies that reformed the received Catholic traditions. This was not the formation of a new Church, but a return to its roots, with the DNA of the pre-existing Church still present.
Anglicans do not recognise the authority of the Pope, who Catholics hold up as the successor of St. Peter. Instead, Anglicans are part of a communion of churches, each with its own archbishop or presiding bishop, such as the Archbishop of Canterbury in England. While the Eucharist is a common term between Anglicans and Catholics, they have different beliefs about it. Catholics teach "transubstantiation", which is repugnant to Anglicans. Anglicans believe that the Eucharist is only "spiritually" changed, and Jesus' presence does not remain, so there is no adoration of the host. Anglicans also believe that confession to God is sufficient, and while private confession to a priest is optional, it is not necessary.
Anglicanism has, at times, emphasised its Protestant or Reformed identity, such as during the evangelical revivals of the 18th century. However, there have also been revivals of Catholic spirituality, such as during the 19th-century Oxford Movement. The disagreement about which aspect of Anglicanism has greater weight—its Catholic heritage or its Protestant reshaping—is a reason why Anglicans disagree about whether Anglicanism is Protestant or Catholic.
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Frequently asked questions
Anglicans are part of a "communion" of churches and don't have a central authority, while Catholics hold up the authority of the pope, who is considered the successor of St. Peter. Anglicans also tend to have a more decentralised structure, allowing for a wider range of pastoral responses and diversity of practices on issues like divorce and contraception.
The Anglican Church traces its history back to the Church of England, which broke away from the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th century over political and theological differences. The English Reformation, which began under Henry VIII, saw the Church regain its independence from Rome and reshape its Catholic traditions.
Both Anglicans and Catholics share a deep respect for historic, God-ordained leadership, tracing their spiritual authority back to the Apostles. They also cherish the Holy Bible and the wisdom of the early Church, balancing these gifts in slightly different ways. Anglicans often view their faith as a “three-legged stool”, with Scripture, Tradition, and Reason as the three legs.
While it is possible to admire and learn from the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, Anglicans do not recognise the pope as the final authority. However, some Anglicans consider themselves both Catholic and Protestant, retaining the liturgical and sacramental understanding of the early Catholic Church while remaining open to reformation and renewal.
